PolySciTech division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) provides a wide array of biodegradable block copolymers including thermogelling PLGA-PEG-PLGA. This system, designed to provide for a liquid solution at room temperature and a gel at body temperature, can be used for a wide degree of applications such as depot drug delivery. Recently, researchers at Marshall University and the Huntington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, performed a series of experiments using PolySciTech PLGA-PEG-PLGA’s PolyVivo AK012 and AK019. These two products have transition temperatures slightly below and above body temperature, respectively, however the blending of them together allows for tuning the transition temperature. The researchers performed a series of placebo controlled experiments in rats investigating for any systemic signs of toxicity over the course of 21 days. They found no statistically significant changes in body weight, blood protein ratios, organ weights, Bilirubin, ALT, or other indicators of overall health indicating that these polymers are safe and non-toxic. Read more: Cuifen Wang, Eric Blough, Ravikumar Arvapalli, Omolola Olajide, Henry Driscoll, Maali Milhem, Shahed Elhamdani, Nicole Winston, William E. Triest , and Miaozong Wu. "AK12/AK19 PLGA-PEG-PLGA Triblock Polymer: Thermo-Gelation Properties and in vivo Biocompatibility". Jacobs Journal of Molecular and Translational Medicine January 2016 Volume 2 Issue 1 http://moleculartranslationalmedicine.jacobspublishers.com/index.php/articles/ar ticle-in-press-molecular-and-translational-medicine

“Abstract: This study was to determine a novel and applicable PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymer with ideal gelation at the physiological temperature. A maximum gelation at 37 °C was obtained by mixing two polymers at 1:3 ratio, PLGA1000-PEG1000- PLGA1000(named as AK12) and PLGA1500-PEG1500-PLGA1500 (AK19). The AK12/AK19 polymer rapidly initiated gelation when temperature was greater than 32°C and had a single gelation peak at ~37°C. Placebo-controlled animal study showed intraperitoneal administration of AK12/AK19 copolymer (20%w/v) did not affect body weight, food and water consumption during 21-day study. Similarly, blood biochemical analysis showed no difference of organ weight, indices of overall health, liver and kidney functions between the polymer and placebo groups. Taken together, these data suggest that the AK12/AK19 PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymer exhibits desirable thermoregulable and biocompatible properties, which allow in vitro preparation at cool or room temperatures but ideal gelation after in vivo delivery, and may make it extremely attractive for drug delivery applications. Keywords: PLGA-PEG-PLGA Copolymer; AK12; AK19; Thermo-gelation; Biocompatibility; Rheology; in vivo study”